(a 12 year old Tn Walker mare, looked
nice, behaved great, and was a nice ride....even in the rain and mud). She used to be one of their trail horses but was sold to the owner (Lindsay) a year ago because her gait makes her too fast for the quarter horses on trail rides. Four different people from the ranch, including 2 young teens, said they had ridden Onyx on trail rides and that she is very good. Of course Lindsay had nothing but good things to say about her. I rode Onyx two different times and watched three others ride her during the preview. Lindsay, a 63 year old retired Elementary school teacher was advised by her doctor not to ride anymore because of the medications she is on, which is why she was selling Onyx. To sell a horse at this auction, it had to meet basic health inspection including the Coggin's test. Lindsay also had vet papers of wormings, shots, and teeth floating. The auction was west of Peoria but Lindsay has Onyx at a farm outside of Peoria. Luckily, before the auction began, Lindsay had agreed to keep Onyx for a few days until we are ready to bring her home.
There was a couple sitting by us during the actual auction who have 5 TN Walkers. They were interested in buying Onyx only because they did not want her to go to a potential "bad" owner. There are folks who buy horses cheep here, ship them to Canada, and sell them to slaughter houses for $800. Joe and I decided on our top dollar and he did the bidding (I was way too nervous) We got Onyx for $800, half of what we were willing to pay for her.
I woke up this morning feeling so blessed and thankful. I can't believe I am a horse owner now. I must admit I am a bit overwhelmed as well. I can't wait to start working with my new horse Onyx.....building a friendship of love and trust between us. I pray that I will be a very good Mom to her. There is also a little worry on my part, for her safety and well being. I want to do the best I can to keep her as healthy and happy as possible. I am sure I will have many questions along the way.
There is a lot of work to be done before bringing Onyx home. I should force myself to do school work first, because once we bring her home, I will be way too distracted to do any school work. We need to finish stretching
the electro-braid rope, clean out the
Once the corn crib was cleaned out, we parked the trailer in it.
Joe and I also talked about getting a young calf or two to keep Onyx company, until Courtney buys a horse. I don’t want to rush her. I had been in a quandary all week about the 2 horses Courtney and I rode last Saturday. I liked the 16 year old gelding quite a bit, but the 7 year old mare
I was not so sure about. I liked her
lively spirit but she is young, immature, and a bit nervous. I think a good rider could do wonders with her, but I am not sure I fit that bill. The lady will not "split" the two horses up....it is both or none. So Courtney can’t buy just the gelding. Little did I know, she was still dreaming about Zorro, the first horse she had tried out when in Michigan last month.This past week has been very busy with school and some things around here. I had lots to do with room preparation, lesson plans, learning the new Web site editing program our district purchased, re-setting up all my desk top icons on the computers I use at school, xeroxing, meeting with the co-teacher I am working with (I found out Tue. I have a co-taught special ed. class), and doing all the other paper work and crap that comes along with the first 2 institution days.
Here at the farm we got the concrete poured in the barn to fill in that 1 to 2 foot drop off where the tack room is going. In this photo Britney is sweeping it off. We have also been getting electro-braid strung that is about ready to be stretched. Our friend Mark also came out and butchered the 3 roosters. He took them home to “dress them out”.
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